Sexually explicit Family

With adolescents having unlimited exposure to media, it has become almost impossible to hide sexually explicit material. One can now access almost anything they want to on the television with premium channels, on the internet, on Instagram, snapchat and so much more. Adolescents have sexually explicit material at their fingertips if they wanted. However, the effects of exposure to this type of media are still widely unknown. This may be why it is such a large debate today.

In this clip of modern family, Phil is trying to sell a house to a young couple. However, the family is not happy with the statue right across the street. It turns out other families in the neighborhood feel the same way.  The statue is titled, "Marble with Wood". The name is automatically inappropriate because Phil mentions it is only made with marble. The statue can be seen around the neighborhood and more specifically, from the window of the house Phil is trying to sell.

The parents in this clip, as well as many researchers, believe that such exposure should be limited to adolescents. One mother in Modern Family states, "I don't feel comfortable letting my kids play out here," because she doesn't want them to be exposed to an inappropriate statue or see anything they have not been taught about yet. One of the adolescent boys states that it makes him feel worse about his own body- which makes his mother feel bad. In Peter and Valkburg's study it is even stated that "The obtrusive visual character of sexually explicit material may intensify the experiential states that accompany the use of such material (378). This can relate to the statue and the feeling that the boy has after looking at it.  Each parent has a different reason but most feel as though the exposure needs to be mediated immediately and that the statue needs to be removed.

But yes, there is one male character who makes a claim that "Porn belongs on a big screen in the bedroom or in the bathroom." It is interesting that everyone has a different view on when and who should watch porn. Gender and age seem to be a big drive in this research.  

Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P.M.(2010). Processes underlying the effects of adolescents'  use of sexually explicit Internet material: The role of perceived realism. Communication Research, 37(3), 375-399. doi: 10.1177/0093650210362464